Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Regional South Australia to switch to digital TV
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today confirmed that regional South Australia and Broken Hill would switch to digital-only television on 15 December 2010.
“The switchover to digital TV in the Spencer Gulf, Riverland, Mt Gambier and southeast South Australia, and Broken Hill regions is part of the progressive switchover to digital TV around Australia by 2013,” Senator Conroy said.
“Already 64 per cent of households in these regions have converted to digital TV, which is more than the Australia-wide conversion rate of 61 per cent by the end of 2009.
“Digital switchover will deliver more choice and content, better picture and sound quality and free up spectrum which can be used for the delivery of new and improved broadcasting and communications services, such as high speed broadband.
“A new satellite service will provide all free-to-air digital television services to viewers who are in regional blackspot and remote areas, allowing them to receive the same number of channels as city residents, as well as local news.”
Senator Conroy has made determinations for switchover in regional South Australia and Broken Hill on 15 December 2010, Sunraysia on 30 June 2010, in Brisbane and Perth on 30 June 2013 and in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney on 31 December 2013.
Executive Director of the Government’s Digital Switchover Taskforce, Andy Townend, is currently visiting the Spencer Gulf region of South Australia to inform the local community about the switchover program.
“We will be working closely with the community in each region to make sure they are ready for the switch to digital TV on 15 December 2010,” Mr Townend said. “This will include local advertising and information campaigns and the engagement of Digital Switchover Liaison Officers in each region.”
“We will also be explaining how the Government is helping Australians get ready for digital TV through programs such as the Household Assistance Scheme which provides practical assistance to those people who need some extra help to convert to digital TV.”
More information about the digital switchover can be found online at www.digitalready.gov.au or by calling the toll free information line on 1800 20 10 13.
Date: 01 March 2010
Contact: Suzie Brady 0408 258 457
